According to the Communication, “energy efficiency is one of themost cost effective ways to enhance security of energy supply, and toreduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. In manyways, energy efficiency can be seen as Europe's biggest energyresource.”
Despite steps taken by the EU to save 20% of its primary energyconsumption by 2020, compared to projections, recent Commissionestimates suggest that the EU is on course to achieve only half of the20% objective. On 4th February 2011, the European Council called forMember States to take “determined action to tap the considerablepotential for higher energy savings of buildings, transport andproducts and processes.” The new Energy Efficiency Plan is the EC’sresponse to this.
The Energy Efficiency Plan will be coordinated with other policyactions under the Europe 2020 Strategy's Flagship Initiative for aResource Efficient Europe, including the 2050 Roadmap for a low-carboneconomy.
According to the Communication, the combined effects of fullimplementation of the existing and new measures will “transform ourdaily life and have the potential to generate financial savings of upto EUR 1 000 per household every year; improve Europe’s industrialcompetitiveness; create up to 2 million jobs; and reduce annualgreenhouse gas emissions by 740 million tonnes.” The greatest energysaving potential lies in buildings, says the Communication, followed bythe transport sector and lastly, industry.
Concrete measures proposed included renovation of buildings and agreater use of ‘smart meters’.
For further information:
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/action_plan/action_plan_en.htm